Best Blackberry for me...

[CavemanDoctor]

Please excuse me if this is a repeated topic. I tried to search for similar threads but couldn't really find any.

I'm thinking about getting a blackberry and was hoping you guys could suggest what model to get based on my preferences.

1. Money matters. I'd rather not spend 400 bucks on a blackberry. With that said, I don't want to sacrifice a lot of quality.
2. I will only be using this for internet/email. No phone.
3. I'll be hooking into my corporate email account.
4. Internet speed is very important to me. The faster, the better.
5. I don't want a suretype one; i want a full QWERTY.

That's about it, off the top of my head. I was basically looking at the older 7290 and the newer 8700 series. Considering my needs, would it be stupid to go iwth the 7290? Is the 7290 slower than the 8700s? Are there certain 8700s that fit my needs better than others?

I've gone on the blackberry site and have looked at all the models but I'm not technically savvy at all and frankly could not tell what is best for me.

Thanks for any help guys!

[Pizzle]

In my experience, if money matters, a Blackberry may not be for you.

Either the 7290 or the 87XX are going to be good choices. If speed matters to you for internet surfing, etc, then the 8700-series wins, hands down. Out of the 8700 series, the EVDO products (8703e from Verizon or Sprint) are going to be faster than an EDGE product (Cingular or Tmo), but you better make sure that the coverage area suits where you live, work, and travel. A BB with no signal is hardly a BB worth having.

Good luck, and welcome to the forums.

[archer6]

Wirelessly posted (BlackBerry8700/4.1.0 Profile/MIDP-2.0 Configuration/CLDC-1.1 VendorID/102)

As I see it there are just 2 choices for your described use. The 7290 which is the least expensive. However it's very slow, especially on the web. The better choice is the 8700 which is much faster and more useful.
The least expensive way to make your purchase is to call a large carrier direct They have the ability to discount where the store does not.
I just purchased a new 8700 from Cingular for far less than the web price of the 7290.

When compared to the 7290 the speed increase of the 8700 is amazing.

I am very pleased with mine.

[CavemanDoctor]

Wirelessly posted (BlackBerry8700/4.1.0 Profile/MIDP-2.0 Configuration/CLDC-1.1 VendorID/102)

As I see it there are just 2 choices for your described use. The 7290 which is the least expensive. However it's very slow, especially on the web. The better choice is the 8700 which is much faster and more useful.
The least expensive way to make your purchase is to call a large carrier direct They have the ability to discount where the store does not.
I just purchased a new 8700 from Cingular for far less than the web price of the 7290.

When compared to the 7290 the speed increase of the 8700 is amazing.

I am very pleased with mine.

Thanks for the responses guys. Sounds like I should go with an 8700.

Do you mind telling me how you got your 8700 for so cheap? Is there a site or some number I can contact to get that direct rate?

[flash24]

8703 Verizon EVDO, 8700g Tmobile EDGE, 8700c Cingular EDGE

from what I know EVDO is faster than EDGE. Goodluck!

[jwolf7722]

Make sure your in the EVDO network (coverage area). If you just get coverage with a 1X the speed isnt all that great. No signal is no good, 1X is slow, EVDO is heaven!

[dkf747]

I think EDGE is fast enough (for now) and T-Mobile is $29.99 a month without voice plan, coverage in my area is good, so I use the TMO 8700g. I think Cingular costs a simi;lar amount. Verizon, Sprint, etc... are much higher per month. Only worth it if you need their coverage or higher speed.

[CavemanDoctor]

I've looked at the coverage maps and it seems like Cingular's is best for me personally. I guess this means I should get the 8700c.

[secrecyguy]

If costs concerns you per month, I will go for T-mobile. It's cheaper per month.

I believe both are using Edge so the speed will be very close. I heard a few people says the Cingular is slightly faster.

You may find a plan on Cingular that is cheaper than T-mobile but you have to read the fine print. You can not use it to tether (hook up the phone to the laptop and use it as a modem.) (Yes, I know there are ways around it but you will be breaking your contract.)

Anyway, once you get your Blackberry, you will love it! :)

[vincentnyc]

if u surfing on the web with ur bb only...there won't be a major difference between edge vs evdo speed.

[Liv]

Also, if your looking for a cheap way to get a blackberry...look into Amazon.com they have insane prices (I got my 8100 for free this week) but the catch is it is a new line/service plan. And they make you get a phone line. For me that is not a big deal, may be for you. I have the cheapest one.